Ratchet wrench



Dec, 22, 1942. H, A. SHAW RATCHET WRENCH Filed Dec. 2, 1941 l lh h.

Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The invention aims to provide an exceptionally simple and inexpensive, yet an effective and desirable ratchet wrench which is designed primarily for either tightening or loosening bicycle spokes, although not restricted to this particular field of use.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 will be considered as a plan view, and Figure 2 a bottom plan View, for purposes of description.

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 44 of Figure 1.

I have illustrated a construction which has proven to be of advantage from standpoints of manufacture and use, and while said construction will be specifically described, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

A suitable elongated handle 5 is provided, the front end of said handle having a fiat ovate head 6. This head is formed with a cylindrical socket l which opens through one of its flat sides, leaving a thin wall 8 between said socket and the other fiat side of the head. A slot 9 extends radially of the socket 1, opens through the top and bottom surfaces of the wall 8, and opens through the periphery of the head 6, the inner extremity of said slot being preferably arranged somewhat as shown more particularly at in in Figs. 2 and 3.

A fiat cylindrical disk I l lies within the socket 1 upon the wall 8, the peripheral edge of said disk being in contact with the peripheral wall of said socket. This disk is formed with a slot [2 extending from its center through its periphery and adapted for registration with the slot 9 of the head 6 when the usual threaded sleeve of a bicycle spoke, or other member to be rotated, is to be engaged with said slot l2 or disengaged therefrom. Then, as the disk II is rotated, the sleeve or other member engaged with the slot, will be forcibly turned.

The upper side of the disk ll is formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth [3, said ratchet teeth being preferably of the triangular form shown in Fig. 1 in order that they may be formed simply by cutting intersecting diametrical grooves I4 in the disk. These ratchet teeth are cooperable with a spring pawl l5 which overlies the head 6 and the adjacent portion of the handle 5, said pawl being secured to said head by a bolt l6 and secured to said handle by a bolt ll. It will be understood that the parts l6 and ll may be rivets or other suitable fastenings. The pawl l5 yieldably presses downwardly upon the ratchet teeth I3 to hold the disk II in the socket l, and when the disk is engaged with the work, oscillation of the handle 5 and its head 6 causes said pawl to cooperate with the ratchet teeth l3 in turning the disk H. When tightening a bicycle spoke sleeve or other member, the wrench is used one side up, and for loosening, it is simply turned over. If desired, however, a second opening I8 may be formed in the head 6 to receive the bolt l6, should it be desired to swing the pawl l5 to a position in which it would reversely drive the disk H while permitting the unencumbered lower side of said head to lie next to the work.

From the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the object of the invention, and attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

A wrench comprising a handle having a flat head at its front end, said head having a cylindrical socket opening through one of its flat sides and leaving a wall between said socket and the other flat side of the head, said head also having a slot extending from the central portion of said wall through the peripheral edge of said head and opening through opposite sides of said wall, a flat cylindrical disk lying rotatably in said socket upon said wall and having a slot from its central portion through its peripheral edge, the disk slot being adapted to register with the head slot when a member is to be engaged with the inner end of said disk slot or removed therefrom, the outer side of said disk being provided with ratchet teeth, a spring pawl cooperable with said ratchet teeth for turning 'said disk when said head is oscillated by means of said handle, and means securing said spring pawl to said head in position to exert pressure on said disk to hold the latter in said socket.

HAROLD ARTHUR SHAW. 

